A friend is a person who can put a smile on your face,
and make you laugh even when they’re not around...
just by thinking about them.

When your day is going well, or not so well, they are the person
who helps you to keep a smile on your face, or to grow a new smile
if one wasn’t there.

A friend is a person you miss when they have gone away, and always wonder if their life is going well, or wondering if they are astray.

They are the type of person you want to call or visit all the time, and when you do, you sometimes feel badly that you are calling or visiting too much,
and scaring them away.

They are the type of person that helps you to feel real, and whenever you are with them, they give your life an incredible appeal.

They are the person we all seek.  The person we want to be.

 The person we laugh with so hard that our belly aches, and the person we cry with so freely that our heart never breaks.

A friend is someone with whom we can share out deepest secrets,
tell our fears, look to for encouragement,
and never have to wonder  if they really care.

They are the person we can hug, and know we are loved.

 That very special person who takes the time to say hello, and when things are rough, as they often are, they are not one to hide,
but take a moment to support you when you cry.

A friend is not a perfect person.... 
They make and admit mistakes, and admit them because it is trust and forgiveness that fills the space between two friends.

 Amongst true friends there will always be challenges, but what makes the friendship real is knowing the challenges will soon be overcome.

 A friend is the person who will tell you when they are upset with you,
and when things are fine, will express to you their gratitude
for being the person you are.

They are the people who will forgive us when we act weird or do something wrong, and the people who we will forgive when they do someone harm.

When they see we are not happy, or are having difficult times, a friend will come along and brighten our day by sharing their shiny heart.

A friend is the most valuable thing in the world,
far greater than the greatest of riches.

A friend knows when to give, a friend knows when to receive.  They know when to say “that’s too much”, and know when to say,

“I could really use more”.

Through our friends, we overcome our fears, celebrate our victories,
and inquire into our abilities.

Friends are people we can call upon, near or far, and regardless of what is happening, they will treat us with care.

There is nothing more powerful than to have a friend, and to be a friend.

There is no greater compliment than for a person to call you a friend.

David Lloyd Strauss 

November 11, 1998